The Allied Masonic Degrees

The Allied Masonic Degrees are detached degrees, which, many years ago, were conferred under Craft Warrants and formed a part of the loosely governed Freemasonry, which afterward eliminated all save the three Craft degrees and the Royal Arch. All old references to the Royal Arch were invariably to the “Excellent Super Excellent Royal Arch Masons,” which comprised three grades. The Super Excellent has long since been discontinued, save in the veil-working of Irish Royal Arch Chapters, while the Excellent Master is a predicate to the Royal Arch in the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapters of Scotland and is worked in English Councils of Royal & Select Master The other degrees, likewise, were worked in Craft Lodges in both America and the British Isles. When Freemasonry discontinued the working of outside degrees, these degrees became practically dormant, although they were perpetuated and finally formed their own supreme heads, in many instances. They were finally grouped together under a governing head and hence the title of “Allied Masonic Degrees;” they have been allied together for mutual benefit and perpetuation. The working of these degrees in America is encouraged, but not required; the blanket obligation of the Council binding the newly invited brother sufficiently. Where it is possible, Grand Council recommends that some of the degrees be worked each year in order that the members may be fully informed as to the working. Membership in an Allied Council is limited by law to twenty-seven, and then only by invitation. It is predicated upon Royal Arch Masonry. Officers of a Council are the same as of a Craft Lodge, although the opening and closing ceremonies must remain true to the form prescribed.

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The Allied Masonic Degrees are detached degrees some of which, many years ago, were conferred under Craft warrants and formed part of the then loosely governed Freemasonry of the period. Many of these detached degrees became dormant in some places; although in others they were conferred as side degrees. In time, the better of these degrees were grouped together in an organized body under the title of the Allied Masonic Degrees. The degrees comprising the system in our jurisdiction in the USA are the Royal Ark Mariner, Secret Monitor, Knight of Constantinople, Saint Lawrence the Martyr, Architect, Grand Architect, Superintendent, Grand Tyler of Solomon, Master of Tyre, Excellent Master, Installed Sovereign Master, Installed Commander Noah, Red Branch of Eri, and Ye Antient and Olde Order of Corks. In addition, other dormant degrees may be added if the Grand Council decides to append them to the system. These degrees are conferred in the United States in Councils, chartered by the Grand Council of the AMD. Each Council is limited to twenty-seven members, with two exceptions. One of these exceptions is known as the Council of the Nine Muse #13 and it is limited to nine members. The other exception is Grand Master’s Council, A which has what is known as a “roving Charter”. The purpose of the latter Council is to provide a place of membership in the Allied Masonic Degrees for brethren residing in localities where Councils have not been organized. Membership in this Council, as well as every other Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees is by invitation only, and is predicated on membership in a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. In addition to perpetuating these degrees, there is another and equally important purpose to the AMD. It brings together in small groups Freemasons who are interested in the advancement of all branches of Masonry, preparing themselves to better serve the Craft through the medium of study and research. By limiting the membership in a Council and acquiring members only by invitation, the result is a congenial group able to enjoy full fellowship when meeting together. Wherever there is an active Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees, it exerts an influence for the betterment of Freemasonry in all of the Masonic bodies of the area. There is no intent on the part of the Allied Masonic Degrees to detract from any organized and established body of Masonry. On the contrary, you will find our members active beyond the average in all local Masonic bodies. The real purpose of AMD is to stimulate interest in Freemasonry in general and bring together in small groups those who are interested in the study of Masonic subjects.